Kohala Lighthouse Surf Break

Lat Long: 20.27° N 155.84° W

Kohala Lighthouse Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 15 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Kohala Lighthouse sea temperature is
27.5°C
0.7° 

Kohala Lighthouse surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Kohala Lighthouse surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 22 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, ENE swell with 997 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kohala Lighthouse this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Kohala Lighthouse in the next 16 days are 2.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 22) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 20s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (HST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 8AM (Tue 22nd Sep)8ft (2.5m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kohala Lighthouse over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Right now, Kohala Lighthouse (Big Island) is lookin’ like a bit of a battleground. The swell’s there, but the wind ain’t playin’ nice. We’ve got a consistent run of ENE swell pushing in, but it’s all wrapped up in cross-shore and cross-onshore breezes, so the surface is gonna be lumpy and messy. For the next week, honestly, it’s gonna be a scratch-fest. The energy is moderate to strong – we’re seeing combined energy readings of 552 on Tuesday morning, climbing to 885 by Thursday afternoon, and that’s real push behind the waves. But with 25 to 35 km/h winds chopping it all up, it’s hard to get excited. The water’s sittin’ at 82°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Tuesday the 15th is a total write-off – 5ft of ENE swell, but it’s cross and bumpy. Wednesday’s a bit smaller, down to 4ft, but the wind’s up to 30 km/h and it’s cross-on. Not your friend. Thursday the 17th, the swell bumps up to 7ft in the morning, 8ft in the afternoon, period drops from 9 to 8 seconds, and the energy jumps to 720 then 885 – but it’s all for nothing with that 35 km/h cross-shore junk. Friday and Saturday stay in that 7 to 8ft range, but the period’s short and the wind’s still howling. This is big, messy, and not friendly to anyone but the experts – and even they’d be grumbling.

Sunday the 20th and Monday the 21st settle slightly to 6ft, but it’s still cross and lumpy. Monday afternoon the wind picks up to 40 km/h, and we’re getting strong cross-shore mess. Not a single decent window in there.

Now, Tuesday the 22nd is interesting, but not for the right reasons. We’ve got a risk of thunderstorms and the swell jumps to 8ft with an east direction, period 10 seconds, and the combined energy surges to 1314 in the morning and 1603 in the afternoon. That’s strong, powerful stuff – but it’s also crossed up with 40 km/h winds. Unless you’re a tow-in gun with a death wish, that’s a pass.

Then Wednesday the 23rd morning – finally a glimmer. The wind swings ESE at 20 km/h, and it’s cross-off. The swell is 8ft from ENE at 10 seconds, with energy at 1001. The conditions are actually clean for the first time. This is the standout of the whole window. It’s big, it’s got some punch, and that cross-off will hold the face together. But listen – this is a reef break, and at 8ft with that kind of energy, it’s strictly for advanced crew. The crowds are only *sometimes* there, so if you’re confident, you might get a few waves to yourself. This is the one to circle. Unfortunately, the afternoon falls apart – wind swings back east at 45 km/h and it’s messy again.

Thursday the 24th is back to junk – 7ft but strong cross-shore winds at 45 km/h, energy down to 647. Friday the 25th and Saturday the 26th ease back to 5–6ft, but there’s a risk of thunderstorms and the wind’s still cross and lumpy. Not worth paddling out unless you’re desperate.

Sunday the 27th onwards, the swell drops to 3–4ft, period around 9–10 seconds, and the direction shifts to the north. The energy is still moderate – around 373 to 438 – but it’s small and still crossed up. Monday the 28th and Tuesday the 29th stay in that 4–5ft range, with moderate to fresh cross-shore winds. The last day of the window, Wednesday the 30th, has 5–5ft from the NNE at 10 seconds, but it’s still wind-affected.

So here’s the deal: the only real window in this whole 16-day stretch is Wednesday the 23rd morning. That’s your standout. Everything else is a grind. If that morning doesn’t work for you, you’re gonna be sitting on the beach watching the chop for a long time. It’s a tough stretch, but that one clean session might be worth the wait.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Mainly strong winds.

Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
ENE
12
1.4
ENE
5
0.7
E
10
1.2
ENE
10
1.3
ENE
10
1.2
ENE
10
2.1
ENE
9
2.5
ENE
8
2
ENE
8
2.5
ENE
7
2.4
ENE
7
1.8
ENE
8
2.1
ENE
8
2.1
ENE
8
1.6
ENE
8
1.9
ENE
8
1.9
ENE
8
1.6
ENE
8
1.9
ENE
8
2
ENE
9
2.1
ENE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
550
109
104
286
325
294
718
883
509
639
532
459
574
575
367
449
452
338
498
576
645
Wind (km/h)
25
E
25
ENE
20
E
30
ENE
30
ENE
20
NE
30
E
35
E
30
E
35
E
35
E
30
E
35
E
35
E
30
E
35
ENE
35
ENE
35
ENE
35
ENE
35
ENE
35
E
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
4:18PM0.49m
6:41AM0.69m
3:50PM0.45m
7:59AM0.65m
9:51AM0.65m
11:15AM0.68m
11:03PM0.30m
12:03PM0.72m
00:06AM0.36m
12:37PM0.75m
00:40AM0.42m
Low Tide
12:07PM0.39m
10:58PM0.14m
1:42PM0.44m
11:21PM0.17m
11:52PM0.21m
1:03AM0.25m
8:26PM0.29m
7:48PM0.28m
5:04AM0.23m
7:46PM0.25m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:09
6:09
6:11
6:11
6:11
6:11
6:11
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:25
6:24
6:23
6:22
6:22
6:21
6:20
 mm
1
3
Temp °C
27
27
26
26
26
26
27
27
26
27
27
26
26
26
26
26
26
25
26
26
25
Feels °C
27
27
26
26
25
26
27
27
24
24
25
23
24
24
24
23
24
22
24
24
22
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Kohala Lighthouse Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Kohala Lighthouse provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Kohala Lighthouse can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Kohala Lighthouse surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Kohala Lighthouse) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Kohala Lighthouse may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Kohala Lighthouse is 87 km (54 miles) from Kihei. If you plan a vacation in Big Island, look for hotels and other accommodation in Kihei. Kihei has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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